2001 Ford Escape XLT

We don't often get the opportunity to use the word 'phenomenal.' This is one of those times.

Off-road, the Escape is a bit challenged. Essentially a front-wheel-drive vehicle with part-time rear-drive (see page 7 for details), the Escape has no low-range gearing and can't be locked into four-wheel drive. That doesn't mean it's unable to handle the vast majority of off-roading most casual SUV owners require (which, in many cases, is none).

A tight turning circle and reasonably generous ground clearance--not to mention the down-low guts of the torquey V-6--will let Escape owners go cow-trailing and dirt-roading to their hearts' content, but if you do much rock climbing and mudhole driving, there are better choices.

That Control Trac II all-wheel-drive system lets the Escape run in front-wheel drive until the system senses wheel slippage, then it sends as much as 100 percent of the torque to the rear wheels until the slippage ceases. There is a "4x4 On" switch that engages the rear drive more quickly, which is better for severe conditions. In simple full-throttle standing starts on a gravel road, there was very slight, very brief wheel slippage with the system in the automatic mode and virtually no slippage with the system switched to "4x4 On."

The base front-drive XLS model, with the 2.0-liter Zetec four-cylinder and a five-speed manual transmission, starts at $18,160. That also includes air conditioning, an AM/FM-stereo with a CD player, remote keyless entry, a tilting steering wheel, and power locks, windows, and mirrors--not what you'd expect in a stripper model.

For $19,710, the XLT gets you niceties such as anti-lock brakes, aluminum wheels, cruise control, and fog lamps to irritate your fellow drivers on freeways. The 3.0-liter V-6 adds $1400 to the XLS and $1480 to the XLT (which has a more upscale console), and the Control Trac all-wheel-drive system adds $1625.

Opt for an XLT with the V-6 and all-wheel drive, and you automatically get the $350 Class II trailer-towing package, which ups towing capacity from 2000 pounds to 3500, which may not be enough for some SUV buyers--even a V-6 Explorer can be optioned to tow 5800 pounds.

Our Bright Red Clear-Coat Metallic Escape XLT was equipped just as we'd order one--V-6, leather trim ($870), a power glass sunroof ($585), front side airbags ($345), and the excellent MACH audio system ($585) that replaces the in-dash CD player with a six-disc changer, which is also in-dash and takes up no additional room. For $25,750, we get a full-featured SUV that will comfortably carry four six-footers and their luggage, go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds, handle any kind of weather, and get 24 mpg on the highway.

The Escape and the Tribute will surely set new benchmarks for small SUVs.

Verdict:

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